Concrete tie

ABSTRACT

A spread rod tie assembly having a body with a top surface that has at least two levels is provided. That is, the tie body upper surface preferably includes two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at each end of the tie body. The platforms are at a first height and are structured to support a pair of fixed rails. The tie body upper surface also has a recessed, generally flat spread rod bed disposed at a medial portion of the tie body between the rail platforms. The spread rod bed is at a second height that is below the first height. In this configuration, the tie body maintains the rails at the required height above the ballast while allowing for a device, such as, but not limited to, a spread rod to be disposed above the tie body between the rails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a concrete tie and, more specifically,to a concrete tie having a cavity structured to accommodate a spread rodgenerally within the tie body.

2. Background Information

A typical railroad includes a pair of spaced rails disposed upon, andcoupled to, a plurality of generally solid ties. The space between apair of ties is called a “crib.” The ties, which are typically wood orconcrete, are disposed upon a bed of ballast. The ballast also fills thecribs between the ties. The ballast is, typically, a loose aggregatesuch as, but not limited to, gravel which must be compacted, or“tamped,” periodically to maintain support of the railroad ties.Equipment is available to perform the tamping. Such equipment iscommonly identified as a “tamping machine.” The tamping machines arestructured to engage and vibrate the ballast disposed between the ties.Because the spacing between ties is generally regular, the tampingmachines may be constructed to automatically advance along a railroadtrack while stopping and tamping the ballast in each crib. The tampingmachines, however, must be manually controlled or not used at thelocation of a railroad switch machine.

A railroad switch machine includes an actuator, a pair of movable railsand a linkage having a plurality of elongated connecting rods extendingbetween the actuator and the movable rails. The actuator is structuredto move the connecting rods, and therefore the movable rails, between afirst position and a second position. Further, the movable rails may beelongated and extend over a number of ties. To maintain the movablerails in the proper spaced relationship, at least one spread rod isutilized. The spread rod is a generally rigid rod that is coupled to,and extends between, the movable rails. Preferably, a spread rod isdisposed about every 10 feet along the movable rails. Traditionally, thespread rods were disposed over, or within, the cribs. This configurationallowed the majority of the spread rod to be disposed at or below thetops of the adjacent ties with a lug, or vertical extension, extendingupwardly to the movable rails. Thus, most of the spread rod was not in aposition to be impacted by anything hanging beneath a passing railvehicle.

The disadvantage of this configuration is that, with the spread rodlocated above, or within, the cribs, the automatic tamping machinescannot be used. That is, the tamping machine could damage the spreadrods due to their location above, or with, the ballast. Moreover, duringcold weather, an accumulation of ice and the like within the ballast cancause the ballast material to freeze, making the spread rods extendingthrough the ballast difficult to move.

There is, therefore, a need for a tie that is structured to allow for aspread rod to be disposed above the tie.

There is a further need for a tie having a reduced height between thefixed rails thereby allowing a spread rod to be disposed above the tie.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs and others are met by the at least one embodiment of thepresent invention which provides for a tie having a body with a topsurface having at least two levels. That is, the tie body upper surfacepreferably includes two generally flat, generally parallel railplatforms disposed at each end of the tie body. The platforms are at afirst height and are structured to support the pair of fixed rails. Thetie body upper surface also has a recessed, generally flat spread rodbed disposed at a medial portion of the tie body between the railplatforms. The spread rod bed is at a second height that is below thefirst height. In this configuration, the tie body maintains the rails atthe required height above the ballast while allowing for a device, suchas, but not limited to, a spread rod to be disposed above the tie bodybetween the rails. The spread rod is shaped, generally, like a U-shapedbar with two upwardly extending “tines” and an elongated, generally flat“bight.” That is, the bight portion extends just above the spread rodbed in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetie body. The tines, which are structured to be coupled to lugs attachedto the movable rails, extend upwardly to a location between the fixedrails. Thus, except for the upwardly extending extensions, the bulk ofthe spread rod is disposed at a level even with, or below, the level ofthe platforms. In this configuration, despite being above the ballast,the spread rod is generally not in a location where it could sustaindamage from a passing rail vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the tie body alongthe medial portion include sidewalls extending to a height generallyparallel to the height of the platforms. In this configuration, thespread rod bed is, essentially, within a cavity having an open top. Inthis configuration, the sidewalls create a barrier that resists looseballast and other debris from shifting on to the spread rod bed. Thisconfiguration may be further refined by having a cover assembly disposedover the spread rod bed and cavity. The cover assembly is, preferably,an elongated, generally rigid inverted U-shaped member with the tinesextending adjacent to the medial portion sidewalls and the bightextending, generally, over the spread rod bed. The lateral edges of thecover assembly do not cover the cavity completely and thereby form gapsbetween the cover assembly and the platforms. The spread rod tinesextend upwardly through the gaps. Further, the gaps allow the spread rodto shift along with the movable rails during a switching operation.Alternately, the cover assembly may be made from a rugged flexiblematerial such as, but not limited to, canvas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a railroad and switch assembly.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a tie assembly.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a tie assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a tie assembly.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a tie assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein and in reference to the movable rails, “generallyparallel” is a relative phrase meaning that the movable ends of themovable rails are closer to parallel than the fixed ends of the movablerails. The movable rails, however, converge towards each other slightlyat the movable ends.

As used herein, the “height” of the tie upper surface and the tie bedare measured relative to the bottom of the tie body.

As shown in FIG. 1, a railroad 10 includes a bed of ballast 12, a tiesystem 14 having a plurality of generally solid ties 15 and at least onespread rod tie 80 (described below), and at least one pair of primaryfixed rails 16 having a first rail 18 and a second rail 20. The solidties 15 and the at least one spread rod tie 80 are disposed in seriesand in a spaced relationship on the ballast 12. The spaces betweenadjacent ties 15 and the at least one spread rod tie 80 are cribs 19. Inaddition to extending under the solid ties 15 and the at least onespread rod tie assembly 80, the ballast 12 is also disposed in the cribs19. At a switch assembly 22 the pair of primary fixed rails 16 divergeand becomes at least two pairs of secondary fixed rails 16A, 16B. Eachpair of secondary fixed rails 16A, 16B also has a first rail 18A, 18Band a second rail 20A, 20B respectively. The switch assembly 22 includesan actuator 24 and a pair of movable rails 26 having a first movablerail 28 and a second movable rail 30. As is known in the art, themovable rails 28, 30 have a movable end 32, 34 adjacent to the actuator24 and a generally fixed end 36, 38 distal to the actuator 24. The pairof movable rails 26 are disposed within the fixed rails 16 adjacent tothe actuator 24. The pair of movable rails 26 are generally parallel toeach other adjacent to the actuator 24, and then converge with eachother at the fixed ends 36, 38 adjacent to the point where the secondaryfixed rails 16A, 16B separate from each other. At, or immediatelyadjacent to, the movable rail movable ends 32, 34, the movable rails 26are coupled to the actuator 24. A plurality of elongated rods 35 extendsbetween the actuator 24 and the movable rails 28, 30. The actuator 24 isstructured to move the elongated rods 35 between a first and secondposition which, in turn, move the movable rail movable ends 32, 34between a first and second position. In the first position, the firstmovable rail 28 is disposed immediately adjacent to the first rail 18and the second movable rail 30 is spaced from the second rail 20. In thesecond position, the first movable rail 28 is spaced from the first rail18 and the second movable rail 30 is disposed immediately adjacent tothe second rail 20.

The movable rail movable ends 32, 34, as well as a length of the movablerails 26 extending toward the fixed ends 36, 38, are maintained in agenerally parallel relationship by at least one spread rod 40. As shownin FIG. 2, the spread rod 40 has an elongated U-shaped body 42, a firstlug assembly 44, and a second lug assembly 46. The U-shaped body 42 hasa first upward extension 48, an elongated bight portion 50, and a secondupward extension 52. The elongated bight portion 50 is, preferably,divided into at least a first section 54 and a second section 56. Thebight portion first section 54 and second section 56 each have an innerend 58, 60. The inner ends 58, 60 overlap each other. The bight portionfirst section 54 and second section 56 are coupled to each other at theinner ends 58, 60. An insulator 62 is preferably disposed between thebight portion first section 54 and second section 56 at the inner ends58, 60. At least one bight portion section, as shown in the firstsection 54, may be further divided into a first segment 64 and a secondsegment 66. The first segment 64 and the second segment 66 are coupledtogether by a laterally adjustable coupling device 68 such as, but notlimited to, opposing serrated faces 70, 72. In this configuration, thelength of the spread rod 40 may be adjusted.

Except for the overlapping inner ends 58, 60 and the coupling device 68,the bight portion 50 extends, generally, in a single plane. The firstupward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 extend generallyupward from the plane of the bight portion 50. The first upwardextension 48 and the second upward extension 52 may also be angledslightly outwardly. The first upward extension 48 and the second upwardextension 52, preferably, have a vertical rise of between 6 inches and10 inches, and more preferably about 8 inches. The first upwardextension 48 and the second upward extension 52 each have an outer tipthat is structured to be pivotally coupled to the first lug assembly 44and the second lug assembly 46, respectively. Preferably, the firstupward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 each have a pivotpin opening 74.

The first lug assembly 44 is coupled to the first movable rail 28. Thesecond lug assembly 46 is coupled to the second movable rail 30. Eachlug assembly 44, 46 includes a pivot pin 76 that is coupled to eitherthe first upward extension 48 or the second upward extension 52. In thisconfiguration, the spread rod 40 is structured to maintain the firstmovable rail 28 and the second movable rail 30 is a generally fixed,spaced relation.

The spread rod 40 is disposed above a spread rod tie assembly 80. Thespread rod tie assembly 80 includes an elongated body 82, preferablymade from concrete, having a first end 84, a medial portion 86, a secondend 88, and an upper surface 90. The upper surface 90 has two generallyflat, generally parallel rail platforms 92, 94 disposed at the tie bodyfirst end 84 and the tie body second end 88, respectively. The platforms92, 94 are at a first height and are structured to support the pair offixed rails 16. That is, the platforms 92, 94 may have a tie plate 100or similar structure coupled thereto. The upper surface 90 also has arecessed generally flat spread rod bed 102 disposed along the tie bodymedial portion 86 between the rail platforms 92, 94. The spread rod bed102 is at a second height which is below the first height. That is, thespread rod bed 102 extends in a plane that is below the plane of therail platforms 92, 94. Given the U-shaped body of the spread rod 40, thespread rod 40 may be substantially disposed over the spread rod bed 102at a height below the rail platforms 92, 94. That is, the spread rodbight portion 50 may extend just above, and generally parallel to, thespread rod bed 102. In this configuration, the spread rod 40 is notdisposed within the ballast 12, but is also below a height wherein apassing rail vehicle, or anything hanging below a passing rail vehicle,is likely to impact upon the spread rod 40.

The tie body 82 also has a first longitudinal side 104 and a secondlongitudinal side 106. The spread rod bed 102 may include a firstsidewall 108 extending along the tie body first longitudinal side 104and a second sidewall 110 extending along the tie body secondlongitudinal side 106. In this configuration, the spread rod bed 102defines an upwardly open cavity 112. The first longitudinal side 104 mayfurther include at least one opening 114 extending from the spread rodbed 102 to the outer face of the first longitudinal side 104. The atleast one opening 114 is structured to act as a drain for any liquidthat becomes trapped in the cavity 112.

The spread rod tie assembly 80 may also include a cover assembly 120structured to generally cover the spread rod bed 102. Preferably, thecover assembly 120 includes a cover member 122 and a plurality of firstfastener components 124. The cover member 122 may be a flexible member,such as but not limited to, canvas, or a combination of flexible andrigid elements but, in a preferred embodiment, the cover member 122 iselongated, and generally rigid and has a cross-section that is,generally, an inverted U-shape. The tie body 82 includes a correspondingplurality of second fastener components 126 structured to engage theplurality of first fastener components 124. For example, where theplurality of first fastener components 124 are openings 130 disposedadjacent to the distal ends of the cover member 122, the plurality ofsecond fastener components 126 on the tie body 82 may include aplurality of threaded rods 132 extending from the forward and aft facesof the tie body 82.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the fullbreadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A tie assembly structured to accommodate an above-the-tie spread rod,said spread rod structured to extend between a pair of railroad switchassembly movable rails, said railroad also having a pair of fixed rails,said tie assembly comprising: an elongated concrete tie body having afirst end, a medial portion, a second end, and an upper surface; saidupper surface having two generally flat, generally parallel railplatforms disposed at said body first end and said body second end, saidplatforms being at a first height and structured to support said pair offixed rails; said upper surface having a recessed generally flat spreadrod bed disposed at said medial portion between said rail platforms,said spread rod bed being at a second height which is below said firstheight; and wherein said spread rod may be substantially disposed oversaid spread rod bed at a height below said rail platforms.
 2. The tieassembly of claim 1 wherein said tie body includes a cover assembly,said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed.3. The tie assembly of claim 1 wherein: said tie body has a firstlongitudinal side and a second longitudinal side; said spread rod bedincludes a first sidewall extending along said body first longitudinalside and a second sidewall extending along said body second longitudinalside; and wherein said spread rod bed defines an upwardly open cavity.4. The tie assembly of claim 3 wherein: said spread rod bed firstsidewall includes at least one opening extending from said spread rodbed to the outer face of said first longitudinal side; and said openingstructured to act as a drain for any liquid that becomes trapped in saidcavity.
 5. The tie assembly of claim 3 further including a coverassembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spreadrod bed.
 6. The tie assembly of claim 5 wherein: said cover assemblyincludes a cover member and a plurality of first fastener components;said tie body includes a plurality of second fastener components; andwherein said cover assembly first fastener components are structured toengage said tie body second fastener components when said cover memberis disposed over said cavity.
 7. The tie assembly of claim 6 whereinsaid cover member is a generally rigid member having a cross-sectionthat is, generally, an inverted U-shape.
 8. A railroad switch assemblyfor a railroad, said railroad having at least one pair of fixed railscoupled to a plurality of generally solid ties, said switch assemblycomprising: an actuator structured to move a plurality of elongated rodsbetween a first position and a second position; a plurality of elongatedrods coupled to said actuator; a pair of movable rails coupled to saidplurality of elongated rods, said movable rails disposed within, andextending generally parallel to, said fixed rails; wherein said actuatoris structured to move said plurality of rods between a first positionand a second position, said plurality of rods coupled to said movablerails and wherein the movement of said plurality of rods between a firstposition and a second position move said movable rails between a firstposition and a second position; at least one spread rod structured tohold said movable rails in a generally fixed relation; said at least onespread rod coupled to, and extending between, said movable rails; saidspread rod disposed at a spread rod tie assembly, said spread rod tieassembly having an elongated concrete body having a first end, a medialportion, a second end, and an upper surface; said upper surface havingtwo generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at saidbody first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a firstheight and structured to support said pair of fixed rails; said uppersurface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at saidmedial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being ata second height which is below said first height; wherein said at leastone spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rod bed ata height below said rail platforms.
 9. The switch assembly of claim 8wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assemblystructured to generally cover said spread rod bed.
 10. The switchassembly of claim 8 wherein: said body has a first longitudinal side anda second longitudinal side; said spread rod bed includes a firstsidewall extending along said body first longitudinal side and a secondsidewall extending along said body second longitudinal side; and whereinsaid spread rod bed defines an upwardly open cavity.
 11. The switchassembly of claim 10 wherein: said spread rod bed first sidewallincludes at least one opening extending from said spread rod bed to saidfirst longitudinal side; and said opening structured to act as a drainfor any liquid that becomes trapped in said cavity.
 12. The switchassembly of claim 10 wherein said body includes a cover assembly, saidcover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 13.The switch assembly of claim 12 wherein: said cover assembly includes acover member and a plurality of first fastener components; said bodyincludes a plurality of second fastener components; and wherein saidcover assembly first fastener components are structured to engage saidbody second fastener components when said cover member is disposed oversaid cavity.
 14. The switch assembly of claim 13 wherein said covermember is a generally rigid member having a cross-section that is,generally, an inverted U-shape.
 15. A railroad switch assembly for arailroad, said railroad having at least one pair of fixed rails coupledto a plurality of generally solid ties, said ties supported on a bed ofballast, said ballast further disposed between adjacent ties, saidswitch assembly comprising: an actuator structured to move a pluralityof elongated rods between a first position and a second position; aplurality of elongated rods coupled to said actuator; a pair of movablerails coupled to said plurality of elongated rods, said movable railsdisposed within, and extending generally parallel to, said fixed rails;wherein said actuator is structured to move said plurality of rodsbetween a first position and a second position, said plurality of rodscoupled to said movable rails and wherein the movement of said pluralityof rods between a first position and a second position move said movablerails between a first position and a second position; at least onespread rod structured to hold said movable rails in a generally fixedrelation; said at least one spread rod coupled to, and extendingbetween, said movable rails; at least one spread rod tie assemblystructured to support said fixed rails and be disposed below saidmovable rails; and said spread rod disposed above at least one spreadrod tie assembly and not above said ballast.
 16. The switch assembly ofclaim 15 wherein: said spread rod tie assembly has an elongated concretebody having a first end, a medial portion, a second end, and an uppersurface; said upper surface having two generally flat, generallyparallel rail platforms disposed at said body first end and said bodysecond end, said platforms being at a first height and structured tosupport said pair of fixed rails; said upper surface having a recessedgenerally flat spread rod bed disposed at said medial portion betweensaid rail platforms, said spread rod bed being at a second height whichis below said first height; and wherein said at least one spread rod maybe substantially disposed over said spread rod bed at a height belowsaid rail platforms.
 17. The switch assembly of claim 16 wherein saidbody includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured togenerally cover said spread rod bed.
 18. A tie system structured tosupport a pair of fixed rails and a pair of movable rails, said tiesystem comprising: a plurality of solid ties structured to support saidfixed rails, each said solid tie having an elongated body with alongitudinal axis; said solid ties being disposed in a spacedrelationship having each longitudinal axis extending generally parallelto each other; each space between adjacent solid ties defining a crib; abed of ballast disposed beneath said solid ties and within said cribs;at least one spread rod tie assembly structured to support said fixedrails and be disposed below said movable rails; said at least one spreadrod tie assembly disposed between adjacent solid ties; and said at leastone spread rod tie assembly structured to accommodate a spread roddisposed above said at least one spread rod tie assembly and not abovesaid ballast.
 19. The tie system of claim 18 wherein: said spread rodtie assembly has an elongated concrete body having a first end, a medialportion, a second end, and an upper surface; said upper surface havingtwo generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at saidbody first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a firstheight and structured to support said pair of fixed rails; said uppersurface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at saidmedial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being ata second height which is below said first height; and wherein said atleast one spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rodbed at a height below said rail platforms.
 20. The tie system of claim19 wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assemblystructured to generally cover said spread rod bed.